Life, as we know it on this earth, is but a passing dream and all the things that glitter, all the things that Man so often desires for in this life, are but dung and refuse that moths and rust will destroy. Man is but a vapour that appears for a little while, then vanishes away with the rising of the sun.
So often, and especially in a culture as materialistic and consumer-orientated as this one, people would chase with such passion after luxuries and things of gold and things of silver rather than the God who is infinitely more precious than such trinkets. People would rather get excited over a football game and expend so much time and resources in order to imitate their favourite football or movie stars, while sitting as cold as a stone in church and despising the Son of God whom we are all called to imitate. I know this, because I am so often guilty of the same thing.
Why do you boast O Man in your strength? Is it not a passing phase? (and a short one at that). Will your strength last forever? Why do you boast O Man in your wisdom? Are you able to number all the stars in the sky? Are you able to count all the hairs on your head? Are you able to determine the length of your life? Why do you boast O Man in your wealth? Are you able to take it with you into the next life?
Why do you boast O Woman in your beauty and flaunt it for others to see, thus dishonouring the Lord who created you? Is it not true that, as a Mayfly that is born in the morning and then dies in the evening, all physical beauty quickly passes? Do not all beautiful women one day grow old and ugly?
Why do you boast in your youth O young person? Do you really believe that you will remain young forever? Do you believe that there will always be a tomorrow for you to repent and turn back to God? Why O Why do you live life as though there would not be a Day when you would be called to account.
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
- Jeremiah 9: 23-24
Away with such trivialities! Away with such things that will not last! Pursue that which is eternal, that thieves cannot steal nor rust destroy. Pursue the treasure that is Christ, who hung on a tree crushed by His Father so that wretches such as you and I may be reconciled to God. Pursue with eternity in mind, knowing that one day all Man will stand before God to account for all that he has done. Woe to the one who is not found in Christ on that Day, for while he may beg with whatever might he has, there will no more mercy and grace left for him on that great and terrible Day.
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
- 1 Kings 18:21
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